The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), on behalf of itself, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other co-venture partners, has donated a newly-built and well-equipped 10-bedspace paediatrics ward, medical laboratory, with water facilities and water treatment plant powered by a10Kva solar system to the Jama’Are local government area in Bauchi state, North East of Nigeria.
The donation is part of SNEPCo’s intervention to improve child health care and cater for non-COVID-19 cases in the state hospitals.
A statement issued by Bamidele Odegbesan, media relations manager for Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited indicated that the donation was effected via a virtual facility handover event last week during which the managing director of SNEPCo, Mrs. Elohor Aiboni expressed the hope “that this will mark the start of a new experience in health care services for the people in Jama’Are community as we continue to work with governments at all levels and other stakeholders to help in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal Three by the year 2030.”
Represented by SNEPCo’s communications, media and non-government organisations relations manager, Dr Alice Ajeh, Aiboni added that her company was “glad that this intervention is at a time when the attention of the world is on health. Recent events across the world, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have become reminders that accessible health facilities and affordable quality healthcare services are critical to lives of individuals, especially children, and also to businesses and governments, and therefore should be deserve all the attention that we can all give.”
The statement went further to say that the group general manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), the investment subsidiary of NNPC, Mr. Bala Wunti, said, “The effort of SNEPCo and the other co-venturers to complete the project, which will help to reduce the gap in the child health care needs of the Jama’Are community and its environs, is commendable.”
Represented by NAPIMS’ head of Sustainability and Community Development, Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, Wunti said, “I enjoin the community to put this facility to the best use in a sustainable manner.”
He reiterated NNPC’s commitment to investing in programmes that touch the lives of all Nigerians and the environment.
According to Odugbesan, the acting commissioner for health in Bauchi state, Dr Dayyadu Muhammad Hassan, applauded the donation, saying; “Bauchi state appreciates NNPC and SNEPCo for this timely intervention in the health sector. This intervention will go a long way in addressing the rampant morbidity within the female and children sector in the state.”
The executive chairman, Bauchi State Hospital Management Board, Dr Sama’ila Dahuwa, and leaders of Jama’Are community all pledge to ensure a sustainable use of the facility.